The DJC honored CIDA’s President, Jennifer Beattie with the Individual Building Diversity Award and CIDA’s project with Robert Evans Construction, the PCC Dealer Services Technology Building (DSTB) for the Project Building Diversity Award.
Jennifer leads CIDA’s effort to always search out and find opportunities to include all members of our community in our projects. She promotes the belief that “all ideas are valid & all are welcome at the table”. Even before CIDA was a certified woman-owned company, many project meetings that included the entire design team sitting at the table were women. Female employees were empowered and confident to not only voice their opinions but also challenge ideas to find the right answer for that project and that client. She has instilled in everyone to always ask “why” to ensure the right decision is made at each turn.
Wanting to do more to inspire diversity and create a safe company culture for all, Jennifer spearheaded the decision for CIDA to join many others in the industry to take the Culture of Care pledge. CIDA was the first non-construction firm to take the pledge which promises “Our company believes that every individual has the right to a work environment that is free from harassment, hazing and bullying. We will take action to ensure every employee at our company has the opportunity to reach their full potential by building a culture that is diverse, safe, welcoming and inclusive. By taking this pledge, my company is committing to the following principles: CARE: Commit, Attract, Retain, Empower.” Because of CIDA’s inquiry to join this movement, Culture of Care changed their approach to include a wider array of construction-related companies.
The PCC DSTB had a project goal of 20% diversity representation. Our team reached over 30%! We did this by hiring MWESB firms for both design (84% of design services from women-owned firms) and construction trade partners. We accomplished this despite the major hurdle of the significant scope of project value contributed to the pre-engineered metal building structure and the lack of minority representation in that particular construction sector.
In addition, Robert Evans Co, Senior Superintendent Lee Hale took instruction in the RISE program: Respect, Inclusion, Safety, and Equity and then taught the materials to all of the personnel working on the site. This program allowed for understanding and discussion of intention versus impact and focused on language, actions and images, and what each communicates. “I thought the program educated, promoted understanding, and improved the jobsite culture,” Hale said.
This project allowed for smaller diverse firms to be included in a big and exciting project with PCC. By bringing in COBID firms on both sides of architecture and construction, everyone got a seat at the table and their voice heard on how to create a great program for PCC that will encourage community college students to pursue careers in dealer services and technology.
The Dealer Services Technology Building supports a very specific vocational training program. By providing a community college course for this career technical education program, greater access to the career path is provided to underrepresented user groups who may not be able to achieve the hands-on experience through traditional methods. This also provides DSTB students with access to additional PCC educational opportunities which may not be available to those entering straight into the workforce. With this course’s training the graduates have gained the ability for greater career opportunities and advancement.